Nov 19, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa left the island this morning on a state visit to Kazakhstan at an invitation extended by his Kazakhstan counterpart President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

President Rajapaksa is expected to arrive in Kazakh capital Astana today.

"The two presidents will discuss the problems of political and commercial and economic cooperation between the two countries as well as to exchange views on relevant issues of international policy and security," official spokesperson for the Central Communications Service Altai Abibullayev said at a news briefing.

During President Rajapaksa's visit Sri Lanka will enter into an agreement with Kazakhstan on cooperation in the field of tourism between the two countries. Following bilateral discussions A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Kazakh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on tourism cooperation.